Login

u/oh8oh8eighty8

r/SSDI r/catwalls r/Bondedpairs r/neurodiversity r/newsokunomoral r/covidlonghaulers r/WhiskerFireworks r/standardissuecat r/danglers r/MCAS r/Catbun r/TuxedoCats r/LongCovidWarriors r/empathy r/CouncilOfCats
I went to the renaissance festival today after 4 years of barely being able to function.
▲ 150 r/covidlonghaulers

I went to the renaissance festival today after 4 years of barely being able to function.

Can’t throw a shovel- but the fact I was able to walk around on a warm sunny day, tolerate loud noises, and be out and about for 4 hours (and that doesn’t include travel time) is amazing. I’m sure I’ll need at least a couple days to recover but I don’t crash the way I used to- it’s now just a feeling of being super tired, not like I’m dying.

I have the MCAS/POTS flavor. Horrible migraines, PEM, etc…

What’s helped?
-I found a doctor a couple months ago that finally took me seriously when I say I have MCAS and I was able to start ketotifen about 5 weeks ago to stabilize mast cells. Antihistamines and countless other things were never enough for me.
-Nervous system work helps- lots of meditation and restorative yoga. But this only helps so much.
-Finally finding out I was living in mold and moving 16 months ago helped some.
-working with a movement coach is helpful. I’m slowly gaining strength back.

Time for rest, huzzah!

u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 10 days ago
▲ 8 r/empathy

How do you cope with being highly empathetic / sensitive?

I’m extremely sensitive ya’ll. I can’t kill insects. I do however have a pantry moth infestation at the moment (didn’t know this was a thing until last week) and now I’m faced with having to set moth traps. And in general I’m just paralyzed with empathy at times- hearing about tragic events, etc. send me spiraling.

I generally stay away from the news, I do therapy, somatic exercises, and have tried so many things. Would love to hear how you cope when things feel too heavy!

reddit.com
u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 1 month ago
▲ 330 r/CouncilOfCats

Emergency council meeting called after a failed attempt to catch a squirrel through the glass door.

u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 2 months ago
▲ 1.1k r/TuxedoCats

This laundry basket is her new favorite thing so we now have a laundry basket permanently in our living room.

u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 2 months ago
▲ 14 r/catwalls

Cat wall layout - any feedback? (see text)

I have 4 cats and this is my first cat wall so would love some input before I start. This is the layout I was thinking of for my cat wall. The "T" looking things are steps if that's not obvious. I'm aiming for about 12" of vertical / horizontal distance between shelves or steps. Any thoughts on this? Anything missing? There is a window on the wall to the right that they'll be able to look out of. That cat tree to the right is staying as well as that cabinet to the left. I'm thinking of maybe adding some steps on the wall to the left so my cats could exit that top left hammock from another direction (if they were to look out the window on the opposite wall from this wall they would no longer have a good view as my detached garage is now visible from this angle... so wasn't really thinking of putting any lounge spots here).

u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 2 months ago
▲ 252 r/standardissuecat

Happy Gotcha Day, Peanie!!

Yesterday was Little Miss Peanut's official 1st Gotcha Day (we had to celebrate today since her dad was out of town)- here's some photos of everyone enjoying some cake!

u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 2 months ago
▲ 235 r/standardissuecat

Happy 1st Gotcha Day to Little Miss Peanut (Peanie)!!!

(We're officially celebrating tomorrow with kitty cake since her dad is out of town until then- will post some photos of celebration tomorrow)

Peanie is the sweetest little thing- always knowing how to ask for a hug and showing her affection with alllllll of the eye kisses. She loves her two brothers very much and is starting to tolerate her new sister. She likes to try to eat bar soap and deodorant. She's always trying to steal food and gets the hangriest little attitude before meal times- but we still love her very very much <3

Here's some of my favorite photos of our first year together!

u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 2 months ago
▲ 4 r/MCAS

Recently saw MCAS doctor... so confused about the medications....

Obviously I know you can't give medical advice but wondering about what other people are taking for MCAS. I was prescribed three different medications last week and am a bit confused about them (see rants below... this medical office/doctor was a nightmare)

I was prescribed:

Zafirlukast

upping H1/H2 up to 4 times daily

Ketotifen

Cromolyn

QUESTIONS:
-I believe he said to start the Zafirlukast right away. Does anyone take this just for systemic inflammation? My breathing issues and flushing are almost non-existant, definitely not a concern of mine. I am dealing with long covid (the me/cfs, pots, mcas type) and the biggest issues are severe fatigue and lots of headaches / migraines.

-He said to hold off on taking the Ketotifen and Cromolyn "until I need them" or something - I tried asking for a bit more clarity, but still confused. He kind of mumbled something to the effect "you don't want to be on these long term" or something.... wasn't sure if he was implying that I personally don't want to be on medications forever or that it actually wasn't safe. My god, sorry this doctor was a nightmare (nice guy, but...).

-The Cromolyn and Ketotifen are both compounded, correct? this doctor didn't seem to know to send these to a different pharmacy... the nurse had to come in to send to Ketotifen to a special pharmacy, but somehow the cromolyn was sent but "cancelled" by my pharamacy..

-Anyone know of anyone else that would be willing to manage MCAS / prescribe these medications in Minnesota? Or anywhere else to get these? These doctor's are a rare breed. I learned once I got to the appt that I can't even see this doctor for a follow-up (nor do I really want to) since they can't bill Medicare / Medicaid and this is what I'm switching to as of this month.

I know I could call the medical office.... but holy crap this recent doctor's appt was 2 hours long (which was exhausting) and the doctor was so confusing (I have plenty of basic medical understanding- so it wasn't the actual medical information that was confusing). The instructions he gave were a nightmare (and he didn't write down any instructions) and the whole medical office was dysfunctional so I don't really want to call them right now.

Thank you!

reddit.com
u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 2 months ago
▲ 12 r/LongCovidWarriors

Increased vivid dreams lately. Anyone else notice this at any point in recovery?

I have the me/cfs, POTS, MCAS flavor of long covid (been over 3.5 years). I also learned a couple years ago that I was exposed to toxic mold probably starting the year before I got sick and finally was able to move out of infested apartment about 14 months ago...

I have had more vivid dreams lately which makes me wonder if I'm actually starting to heal. I've also been more tired than usual which could potentially be a sign of recovery. The body has to use up energy to repair itself is my thought there. Anyways, just wondering if anyone else has experienced a similar phenomenon.

reddit.com
u/oh8oh8eighty8 — 3 months ago